THE GEARCHECK

The rider’s gear must be checked for legality just before every test. The gear steward will check length of whip, correct bit and spurs, safety helmet and gloves. If the gear steward wants something changed, the rider must do it, not the steward.

Allowed in Warm-Up areas but not Competition Arenas:

Running martingales (with a snaffle bridle);
Boots and bandages;
Rubber over-boots (eg Easy Boot/Mac boot);
Saddle covers (eg sheepskin or rain covers)

Bridles

A snaffle bridle is compulsory up to and including Elementary level.
A snaffle bridle is optional at Medium level.
A double bridle can be used in the warm-up area, by any level competitor. It is required in FEI tests.

Nosebands

It is compulsory to have one only of the following nosebands on a snaffle bridle:

dropped
cavesson
flash (Hanoverian), or
crossed (Grackle)

Nosebands may never be so tightly fixed as to harm the horse.
Officials should not loosen the noseband, but request the rider to do so. If the rider refuses and the official thinks the noseband is still too tight, the Ground Jury should make a ruling.

Bits

Snaffle bits shall be composed of metal, or metal and rubber (flexible rubber bits are not permitted), or metal and synthetic material.

Snaffle bits and bridoons made only of metal must meet the following:

all parts of the bit coming into the horse's mouth must be of metal (not necessarily the same metal)
the diameter of the mouthpiece must be such so as not to hurt the horse
all parts coming into the horses mouth shall be rounded, smooth and not ridged, sharp or corrugated

Headgear

Competing riders must wear head gear applicable to their level of competition

Gaiters/Chapettes

Gaiters may only be worn with short boots with smooth soles and heels
The exposed side of the gaiter must be full grain leather
Gaiters must match the colour of the boots which must be black or brown

Spurs may be worn by competitors at all levels, compulsory when a double bridle is worn
The tip of the shank must not point up
Dummy spurs with no shank are allowed
Spurs with hard plastic knobs are allowed
If rowels are used, they must be free to rotate

Whip

A whip, not exceeding 1.2 metres in its entirety (including the tassle), may be carried and used by a competitor in tests up to and including Advanced level.

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